Fished the AR yesterday afternoon and this morning. Ended up going 2 for 5 combined for days. Yesterday I only hooked two and today I hooked three.
Didn't arrive at the river till 3 in the afternoon on Wednesday and didn't start fishing till about 330 because I was talking to a guy using a float rod and I wanted to ask him about his setup because it is a really interesting way to fish, its a lot like fly fishing. Anyways, got rigged up and went to fishing. Within a half hour hooked a fish and landed it. It was small, it was technically an adult since it was over 16" but I would consider it more of a half-pounder. It went about 18" and took an egg pattern.
I guess about another half-hour went by and I hooked a monster. As soon as I set the hook the fish took off downstream. Was probably into my backing in about 10 seconds, thats when I had to run downstream after it (I literally ran as well). I guess I got about 75 yds downstream when I started getting line back, as soon as that happened the fish shot upstream and I ran backwards while reeling to get the slack out. My efforts were too late as my current pulled the slack and then the hook out of the fishes mouth. I ended up getting a little memento from the fish though, a small chunk of meat from his mouth. I did see the fish as it jumped and shot downstream and I'd estimate it was around 10 lbs. No Brian-sized monster but definitely the biggest I've hooked this year. I had one more grab on the swing as darkness fell, but no hook-up.
Thursday I was going to get there at o'dark thirty, but 6 AM was too early for me. Didn't arrive till 8 AM and was fishing by 815. Guy was in my hole, but for some reason he left just as soon as I got there. Flogged the water for several hours to no avail. Watched a few fish get caught by the snag line, but overall it was much slower than just a day before. Helped one guy land a fish who was in the lineup on the redds, he ended up having to bring the fish through the rapids so I helped him tail it, after he fought it for a good 10 minutes trying to bring it upstream (doesn't work). Anyways, he brought the fish in close and saw about three flies in the fishes back, his fly was in the gill plate. As he was bringing the fish into tailing reach, his hook popped out and snagged one of the other flies in its back. He fought it for a little while like that but eventually the hook pulled and off the fish went with the flies in its back.
Not long after this, got my first solid grab. Set the hook, watch fish jump three times downstream, and watch the hook fly back at me. Looked to be about a 6 lb fish. This one looked like it ate the caddis I posted on here, but not quite sure. About 15 minutes later, got another grab right in front of me. Had a headshake and off that one went. 0 for 2 now. Now its about 1215 and I have to be back in Davis by about 130. Decide I could fish for another 15 minutes. Well just as I was about to leave, I get smashed again. This time the hook sticks and I bring in about a 20" steelie. This one was also on the egg pattern. After that fish, gave it another 5 minutes but ended up losing my split shot, so that was the cue to call it for the day. Glad I stuck it out today.
Well done Chris! Thanks for sharing. Are those colors pretty true? That pink goes purple...nice!
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"You tell yourself that it will be both educational and spiritually uplifting, as all imaginative excuses for goofing off are." John Gierach, "Music of the Spheres".
Chris, Thanks for the report, especially the pictures. The pictures keep me going. I haven't fished for a week-and-a-half now. I'm going through serious withdrawals. I don't even have time to tie flies because of work, midterms, and the baby. I'll be out there next week, though. I may have to cut class and make it an all day trip.
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"Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught."
Hey chris I think i know where that spot is......well done we should hook up sometime mate i live like 10 minuts from where your fishing.....if its where i think your fishing..... O_O
float rod, does that mean he was center pin fishing, check it out its actually pretty cool. would mind picking it up.
sweet job bro, looks like you are in the hidey hole. shhhhhh dont tell anyone.
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Fishing isnt about catching fish, its not about who caught the most, or who caught the biggest, its about the experience that you have on the water, and the life long bonds you make with others on the journey to becoming a better person inside.
